Henderson pleased with Festival going

Nicky Henderson declared himself delighted with the Cheltenham ground after braving blustery and wet conditions to walk a circuit of Prestbury Park this morning.

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse reports underfoot conditions to be good to soft, good in places, and Henderson was full of admiration for the course officials following a testing winter.

He said: ‘It is beautiful ground and they have done an amazing job with it.

‘The meeting is a week early this year and if you think about all the snow they had, then the grass is as forward as you would hope it to be.’

Henderson reported all to be well with Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle favourite Binocular and was eager for the Festival to get underway.

‘I would love to start the meeting this afternoon. In fact I might just go home and bring Binocular back this afternoon!’ he joked.

‘It is nice ground and in good nick but it wouldn't take a lot to move the going description.

‘A lot of rain won't affect Binocular as he has been on soft before, and Punjabi and Sentry Duty are both in great form.’